Child Labour at India's Som Liquor Unit: Children Worked 11 Hours a Day, Government Says
NEW DELHI, July 2 (Reuters) - An inspection by the Madhya Pradesh state government has uncovered a disturbing case of child labour at a Som Group distillery. The investigation revealed that children, some as young as 13, were forced to fill and pack liquor bottles while working grueling 11-hour shifts. This revelation has sparked outrage and highlighted the persistent issue of child labour within India's industrial sectors.
Discovery and Initial
Findings
The
National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) conducted an
inspection last month, uncovering 58 children working illegally at the
distillery. Photos released by the commission showed children with chemical
burns on their hands, suggesting they were exposed to hazardous conditions
without proper protection. Alarmingly, some children were transported to the
factory using school buses, further underscoring the severity of the
exploitation.
Government Inspection
Report
Following
the NCPCR's findings, the state's industrial health and safety department
conducted interviews with 27 workers, the youngest being just 13 years old. The
inspection report, not publicly available but seen by Reuters, confirmed that
these children worked 11-hour shifts starting at 8 a.m. The law in Madhya
Pradesh prohibits anyone under 21 from working in a liquor factory, making this
a clear violation of child labour laws.
Response from Som and
State Authorities
Som Group
and the Madhya Pradesh government did not respond to requests for comment.
However, in a submission to the state government on June 18, Som Group claimed
that some children visited the company to deliver food and medicines to their
parents, asserting that no worker was younger than 21. This defense has been
widely criticized as an attempt to downplay the severity of the situation.
Broader Implications
This
incident has drawn attention to the pervasive issue of child labour in Indian
supply chains. In 2021, Reuters reported similar findings of underage labourers
at Carlsberg warehouses in Jharkhand. Carlsberg terminated the services of the
third-party provider involved, but the problem persists across various
industries.
Inspection Report Details
The state
government’s report highlighted that the children were not trained on how to
protect themselves from harmful chemicals, emphasizing the hazardous nature of
their work. The report stated, "Since it is hazardous work, there should
have been a health centre at the factory."
Legal and Corporate
Actions
In response
to these findings, the Madhya Pradesh government temporarily suspended the Som
distillery's manufacturing licenses. However, Som Group challenged the
decision, arguing that there has been no conclusive finding of wrongdoing. A
local court has since put the suspension on hold, with the next hearing
scheduled for later this month.
In a
statement to the stock exchange, Som Distilleries and Breweries Ltd
acknowledged the issue but distanced itself by claiming the plant was run by an
associate company using contractors who may not have conducted proper age
checks. The company's shares have fallen by 8% since the discovery of child
labour at the factory.
The
discovery of child labour at Som Group’s distillery is a stark reminder of the
ongoing exploitation in some sectors of India’s economy. It underscores the
need for stricter enforcement of labour laws and greater corporate
responsibility to ensure ethical practices throughout supply chains. As the
investigation and legal proceedings continue, there is a growing demand for
accountability and systemic change to protect vulnerable children from such
exploitative conditions.
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